The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1887-07-09


good rider well mounted. called the
whip, who assists him in keeping the
pack together, riding behind the master
and whipping in the dogs that are
disposed to straggle and wander away.
When the master mounts and rides into
the yard. the dogs are brought ont, and
the whole pack gathers about his horses
feet, yelping in eagerness, and watch
ing his face for the command to follow.
The dogs know what is coming, and are
impatient to be put on the scent. They
keep close to the master until they get
to the throw-off or the place where the
scent begins. When they find the scent,
away they go. and it takes a good horse
and good rider to keep near them
Perhaps the most interesting part
of the sport is watching the hounds do
their work. They have their individual
peculiarities, that the master will dis
cover. and they learn his ways and his
voice and submit to his guidance.
There is much jealousy among the dogs,
and when they are keen on the scent it
is amusing to watch them and see how
they try to get the best of each other.
The older dogs get the scent and follow
it. and the rest run with them, spread
ing out to the sides so as to catch the
scent on sharp turns when the leaders
overrun and lose it. Sometimes dog
that is on the extreme will get the scent
and give tongue and all the rest will
turn to follow him. That is called
scoring to cry and is a pretty sight.
1t gives dog that is behind the lead of
the pack. and the old dogs will strain
every nerve to regain their lost posi-
tons. Sometimes the leaders of the
pack will spread out to both sides in
search of the scent A dog tagging
behind will keep on his course, come
right down through the center of the
pack, get the scent, and scurry away in
front Of the whole lot ! have seen old
dogs dodge around piece Of brush or
cover, understanding that the fox has
gone through. and take up the scent on
the other side. leaving the younger and
inexperienced hounds to work through
the brush and bring up the rear of
the procession. To make the hounds
run keen it is necessary to give them
something to run after besides the odor
of anise. So we have fox turned out
at the head of the run and let the dogs
chase him. The fox is released from q
bag about half an hour before the
hounds come into sight and one old
dog is put upon his trail to keep him
running and prevent his being surprised
by the pack. The old hound can not
catch him. and even if he could get up
to him the fox would beat the dog off.
It is very seldom that q single dog will
tackle fox. Ihave seen fox spring
out from the middle Of q pack and
escape scot free. Very often our foxes
escape, and am glad to see them get
away. Idon't like to see the hounds
tear fox, and am not in favor Of using
foxes any oftencr than is necessary to
keep the hounds keen in running. On
Hampstead Plains the fox has every
thing in his favor, and If he does not sit
down and wait until the hounds are
close upon him he has q pretty good
chance to save himself. In laying the
scent with the drag variety in the run is
secured. At intervals the man picks up
the drag and carries it, making break
thatgives the hounds a check. While the
dogs are trying to recover the scent the
horses get breathing-spell and the
riders who have fallen behind have a
chance to catch up. The pack spreads
out and works over the ground until
one of the dogs gets scent and gives
tongue, when all the hounds are called
together by the master and the run is
Hunting on Long Island is more
than it is in England, because
the fences are worse. A five-foot rail
fence is an ugly thing to face, and both
the horse and rider must have nerve to
take it. An English hedge is trifling
obstacle in comparison. In approach
ing hedge, the horse can Judge his
stride because he sees solid object be-
fore him, but he sees through a fence
and is liable to misjudge the distance.
In jumping hedge ditch is something
of an aid to taking of. I think, and
moreover, no harm is done if the horse
touches in going over. because his legs
win brush through the top. II horse
fails to clear stiff rail-fence and strikes
the top, he win hurt his legs or get q
bad fall. There are no gaps in Long
Island fences, and very few gates
through which timid hunter may ride.
A man who follows the Meadowbrook
hounds must make up his mind to ride,
and ride well. If he hasn't the nerve to
take every fence as he comes to it he
had better stay at home.
sOur men get falls enough to make